Albert Williams
Epsom-based National Hunt jockey Albert Edward Williams was retained by fledgling trainer Ian Benstead for three seasons in the late 1950s and early 1960s.
Epsom-based National Hunt jockey Albert Edward Williams was retained by fledgling trainer Ian Benstead for three seasons in the late 1950s and early 1960s.
Benstead supplied him with 18 of his 19 winners during that time.
Benstead supplied him with 18 of his 19 winners during that time.
Prior to that, however, Albert started out with another Epsom trainer, Peter Thrale, who provided him with his first winner, Free Flight, in the Four-years-old Hurdle at Plumpton on February 2, 1955. They followed up over the same course and distance the following month. Albert’s next winner was for yet another Epsom handler, Tommy Carey, for whom he won a Fontwell novices’ hurdle on Woodruff House in April 1957.
Prior to that, however, Albert started out with another Epsom trainer, Peter Thrale, who provided him with his first winner, Free Flight, in the Four-years-old Hurdle at Plumpton on February 2, 1955. They followed up over the same course and distance the following month. Albert’s next winner was for yet another Epsom handler, Tommy Carey, for whom he won a Fontwell novices’ hurdle on Woodruff House in April 1957.
Having ridden just three winners spread over four seasons, Albert joined forces with Ian Benstead, who was just starting out on his training career, at the beginning of the 1958/59 campaign. They were soon off the mark courtesy of handicap hurdler The Dote at Fontwell on September 16, 1958. Six more wins followed that season, three of them coming on a chaser named Double Tartan.
Having ridden just three winners spread over four seasons, Albert joined forces with Ian Benstead, who was just starting out on his training career, at the beginning of the 1958/59 campaign. They were soon off the mark courtesy of handicap hurdler The Dote at Fontwell on September 16, 1958. Six more wins followed that season, three of them coming on a chaser named Double Tartan.
The Benstead-Williams combo was successful six times in the 1959/60 season, including a double at Worcester in December when landing both divisions of the Pershore Juvenile Hurdle with Dime and Gardore. Staying hurdler Pompous Beauty won twice during the spring of 1960, at Wye in March and at Plumpton’s Easter fixture.
The Benstead-Williams combo was successful six times in the 1959/60 season, including a double at Worcester in December when landing both divisions of the Pershore Juvenile Hurdle with Dime and Gardore. Staying hurdler Pompous Beauty won twice during the spring of 1960, at Wye in March and at Plumpton’s Easter fixture.
Ian Benstead supplied five of Albert six winners in the 1960/61 campaign, the exception being handicap hurdler Abang at Stratford in February for fellow Epsom trainer Dave Hanley. What turned out to be the last three winners of Albert’s career were all gained on Dime in long-distance hurdles at Plumpton (twice) and Worcester early in 1961.
Ian Benstead supplied five of Albert six winners in the 1960/61 campaign, the exception being handicap hurdler Abang at Stratford in February for fellow Epsom trainer Dave Hanley. What turned out to be the last three winners of Albert’s career were all gained on Dime in long-distance hurdles at Plumpton (twice) and Worcester early in 1961.
Quite what happened after that season is hard to fathom. By the start of the 1961/62 season Dime was with another Epsom trainer, Ted Parker, while Double Tartan had joined Willie Stephenson’s string. Pompous Beauty had also changed hands. Albert rode The Dote at Taunton in October, finishing unplaced. Thereafter, his main source of rides dried up. He struggled on for one more season before relinquishing his licence.
Quite what happened after that season is hard to fathom. By the start of the 1961/62 season Dime was with another Epsom trainer, Ted Parker, while Double Tartan had joined Willie Stephenson’s string. Pompous Beauty had also changed hands. Albert rode The Dote at Taunton in October, finishing unplaced. Thereafter, his main source of rides dried up. He struggled on for one more season before relinquishing his licence.
Albert Williams’ winners were, in chronological order:
Albert Williams’ winners were, in chronological order:
1. Free Flight, Plumpton, February 2, 1955
1. Free Flight, Plumpton, February 2, 1955
2. Free Flight, Plumpton, March 14, 1955
2. Free Flight, Plumpton, March 14, 1955
3. Woodruff House, Fontwell Park, April 10, 1957
3. Woodruff House, Fontwell Park, April 10, 1957
4. The Dote, Fontwell Park, September 16,1958
4. The Dote, Fontwell Park, September 16,1958
5. Good Impression, Worcester, November 8, 1958
5. Good Impression, Worcester, November 8, 1958
6. Double Tartan, West Norfolk Hunt (Fakenham), March 30, 1959
6. Double Tartan, West Norfolk Hunt (Fakenham), March 30, 1959
7. Pompous Beauty, Wye, April 20, 1959
7. Pompous Beauty, Wye, April 20, 1959
8. Double Tartan, Folkestone, April 27,1959
8. Double Tartan, Folkestone, April 27,1959
9. The Dote, Wye, May 11, 1959
9. The Dote, Wye, May 11, 1959
10. Double Tartan, Stratford-on-Avon, May 23, 1959
10. Double Tartan, Stratford-on-Avon, May 23, 1959
11. Dime, Plumpton, November 16, 1959
11. Dime, Plumpton, November 16, 1959
12. Dime, Worcester, December 5, 1959
12. Dime, Worcester, December 5, 1959
13. Gardore, Worcester, December 5, 1959
13. Gardore, Worcester, December 5, 1959
14. Pompous Beauty, Worcester, March 14, 1960
14. Pompous Beauty, Worcester, March 14, 1960
15. Precede, Wye, March 21, 1960
15. Precede, Wye, March 21, 1960
16. Pompous Beauty, Plumpton, April 16, 1960
16. Pompous Beauty, Plumpton, April 16, 1960
17. Royal Athlete, Towcester, October 29, 1960
17. Royal Athlete, Towcester, October 29, 1960
18. Double Tartan, Newbury, January 20, 1961
18. Double Tartan, Newbury, January 20, 1961
19. Abang, Stratford-on-Avon, February 4, 1961
19. Abang, Stratford-on-Avon, February 4, 1961
20. Dime, Plumpton, February 13, 1961
20. Dime, Plumpton, February 13, 1961
21. Dime, Worcester, March 13, 1961
21. Dime, Worcester, March 13, 1961
22. Dime, Plumpton, April 1, 1961
22. Dime, Plumpton, April 1, 1961